A milestone for the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge project at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center occurred in mid-February with the delivery of two revolutionary experimental flaps designed and built by FlexSys, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Mich., for installation on Armstrongís Gulfstream G-III Aerodynamics Research Test Bed aircraft.

Researchers are preparing to replace the airplaneís conventional 19-foot-long aluminum flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that form continuous bendable surfaces. The new flexible flaps arrived at Armstrong by truck on Feb. 12 and were immediately unpacked in preparation for ground vibration testing in NASA Armstrong’s Flight Loads Laboratory, followed by fit checks and eventual installation.

Technicians have begun scanning the G-III with a special laser system to create a computer-generated 3-D model of the airplane. The flap assemblies will also be scanned so that project engineers can conduct virtual fit checks before actually installing the new flaps. This will reduce the risk of damaging either the airplane or its new control surfaces.

The ACTE experimental flight research project is a joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to advance compliant structure technology for use in aircraft to significantly reduce drag, wing weight, and aircraft noise. The effort is part of NASA’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation project that explores and documents the feasibility, benefits and technical risk of vehicle concepts and enabling technologies to reduce aviationís impact on the environment.

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NASA photograph Teachers learning about a volcanism activity known as Lava Layering using baking soda and vinegar to simulate a volcanic eruption. A Lunar and Meteorite Disk Certification educator workshop was held at the NASA ...

NASA photograph by Jim Ross The ACTE project is a joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to explore technologies that will significantly reduce drag, structural weight, and aircraft noise. The Adap...

NASA photograph by Tom Tschida Technicians unload the LEAPTech experimental wing upon its arrival at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. Ground testing will begin after the wing is mounted on a specially modified truck. &nbs...

NASA photograph by Carla Thomas NASA is using the remotely piloted Ikhana in the UAS-NAS project, one of the nation’s most important research efforts for improving safety and reducing technical barriers and operational challe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oWCWwEv_LcI&x-yt-ts=1421782837&x-yt-cl=84359240 NASA technologies are being used to locate underground water in some of the driest places on the Earth, buil...

NASA and Microsoft have teamed up to develop software called OnSight, a new technology that will enable scientists to work virtually on Mars using wearable technology called Microsoft HoloLens. Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., OnSight will give scientists a means to plan and, along with the Mars Curiosity rover, conduct science...

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